Disk clutch



L. 0. FULLER. I i

DISK CLUTCH. APPLlbATlON FILED 1UNE14, 191B. 1,3 :O,885o Patented May 25, 1920.

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, ,UNITED I STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

LAWRENCE c. FULLER, 0E KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

ms]; CLUTCH.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAWRENCE C. FULLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Disk Clutches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in disk clutches.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved disk clutch which may be used efiectively with or without lubricant.

Second, to provide an improved disk clutch which is quickly and positively released on the releasing of the compression member. I

Third, to provide an improved disk clutch in which no friction facings are employed for the disks and which is at the same time very powerful.

Fourth, to provide an improved disk clutch having these advantages which, ,is

very simple and economical .in structure and at the same time efiicient and durable.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a. part of this specincation, in which:

Figure'I is a detail view of a structure embodying the features of my invention partially in central longitudinal section.

Fig. II is a side view of one of the driving disks.

Fig. III is a side disks.

Fig. IV is a detail section through a plurality of disks on a line corresponding to line 14l of Figs. II and III.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking inthe direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the driving member, the driving member illustrated being designed to be attached to the fly-wheel of an engine.

view of one of the driven Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1920.

Application filed June 14, 1918. Serial No. 239,940. Y

2 represents the driven'memberwhich is fixed to the driven shaft 3.

My improved clutch is especially designed by me for use on motor vehicles, tractors and the like. I have not attempted to illustrate a complete casing or housing, as such forms no part of my present invention.

The driving member 1 is provided with driving pins 4, while the driven member 2 has driven pins 5., A plurality of driving disks 6 and driven disks 7 are provided, the

driving and driven disks. being alternately disposed as shown in Figs. I and IV.

The driving disks-6 have lugs 8 on their peripheries notched at 9 to engage pins 4. The driven disks 7' have internal lugs 10 notched at 11 to engage the pins 5. l

The compression or actuating disk 12 is provided with a control means, designated generally by thGT'TllllIlGIfi-l 13. The'actuating disk 12 has a hub 14 inclosing the clutch actuating spring. 15.

The disks 7 have oppositely disposed off,-

. sets 16 and 17 adjacent their lugs providing alternately disposed'spring portions 18 in the friction surfaces of the disks.

When the pressure is applied to actuate the clutch these spring portions are collapsed more or less according to the amount of pressure exerted, and this secures an effective driving friction between the disks. WVhen the compression or actuating disk is released these spring portions of the clutch disks immediately separate and release the clutch as the disks are forced apart by the spring portions, and this is found to be true whether the disks are lubricated or not, there being no dragging in either case.

Another advantage is that the applicants clutch takes hold in a steady or uniform .manner, and is not injured by slipping as is the case with clutches having faced disks. I

In practice I prefer to place the offsets of adjacent vdisks having spring portions therein back to back, that is, they are arranged so that the' ofi'sets are oppositely disposed thereby overcoming the tendency to distort the plane disks which might otherwise be present.

I have illustrated and described my improvements with certain parts shown more or less conventionally in a simple form. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe various modifications and adaptations which Iinight be of advantage in certain casesfas I believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art towhich my invention relates to embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

I Having thus described my invention, what ing and "driven members respectively, at

driving and driven members provided with.

disk engaging pins, and alternately disposed driving and driven disks slidably engaged with said pins ofsaid driving and driven members respectively, apart at least of the disks having offsets adjacent the pin engaging portions thereof providing spring portions-in the friction surfaces ofv the ,disks. 3. In a disk clutch, the combination of driving and driven members, and alternately disposed driving and driven disks havingdriving connections with said driving and driven members respectively, the alternate I disks having oppositely disposed offsets providing alternately disposed spring portions in the friction surfaces thereof.- I

4% In a disk clutch, the combination 'f driving and driven members and alternatel-y disposed driving having driving connectlon with said driv-.

least one of said disks having lateral Ofi'. sets therein providing a plurality of spaced radially directed corrugation like spring friction portions in the friction face of such disks sustainin the friction of the facing disk, and a e utch actuating spring the strength of which is insuflicient to com- I glefiely collapse the spring portions of said is s. 5. In a disk clutch, the combination of driving and driven members and alternately disposed driving and driven disks having drivingjconnection with said driving and driven members respectively, at least one of said disks having lateral corrugation like oflsets therein providing spring friction portions in the friction surface of such disks sustaining the friction of the facing disks,

and a clutch actuating spring the strength of which is insuflicent to completely collapse the spring portions of said disks. K

6. In a clutch, the combination of driving and driven members and alternately disposed driving and driven disks having driving connection with said driving and driven members respectively, at least one of said disks having a plurality of integral unsevered spring portions in the friction surfaces thereof, said spring portions constituting spring friction members sustaining the friction of the coacting facing disk.

and driven disks In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses. 1

LAWRENCE O. FULLER. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

' LUELLA G. GR ENFIELD,

GR'Aon B. THoMrsora 

